On June 23, California Calls presented “What California’s New Budget Means for Families, Women, and Children” a Tele-town Hall Meeting, hosted by Former State Senator Sheila Kuehl to discuss the new California budget passed by the state legislature that includes increases in spending for the first time in years.
Our guest speakers on the panel were Assemblywoman Holly Mitchell, 54th Assembly District; Dolores Huerta, Civil Rights Leader and Founder of the Dolores Huerta Foundation; Hope Richardson, California Budget Project; and Astrid Campos, California Partnership.
During the call our guests answered live questions in English and Spanish from “Today’s California Voters”, voters who have committed to vote in every election and support a state government that invests in education and social services, creates fair tax policies, and good jobs for everyone. “Today’s California Voters” asked questions about K-12 and higher education funding, CALWorks grants, Medi-Cal expansion, In-Home Support Service cuts, and how the state can increase funding to help fund more programs Californians need.
Listen to a recording of the call HERE or listen below.
Callers also had the opportunity to answer four polling questions on how they feel about different areas of the budget. The results of those polls are below:
While years of slash-and-burn budgeting may be behind us for now, California continues to need comprehensive tax reform grounded in social equity and fairness to help return our state to greatness and protect the most vulnerable Californians. This Tele-town hall is just one way that California Calls is working to engage, educate and motivate the voters most impacted by the state budget and public services. California Calls is currently working to identify new revenue sources for the state, such as potential reform of the commercial property tax provisions of Prop 13 and will continue to monitor and report on the accountability measures included in the new budget.
